2003 - 2013 126 million contacts
rewind RWD << The Voices of Children and Young People
giving a voice to children and young people worldwide The Global Network of Child Helplines 173 Members in 141 Countries - 124 Full Members
• Albania Child Rights CA • Indonesia TESA 129 Protection • Algeria Nada • Iran Sedaye Yara • Romania Asociata Telefonul Copilului • Argentina Línea 102 CABA • Iraq Kurdistan Iraqi Child Helpline • Russian NFPCC • Argentina Línea 102 Province BsAs • Ireland ISPCC Childline • Saudi Arabia National Family Safety Programme • Aruba Telefon Pa Hubentud • Israel Natal Hotline • Senegal Centre GINDDI • Australia Kids Help Line • Italy Telefono Azzurro • Serbia SOS Childline • Austria Rat Auf Draht 147 • Japan Childline Support Center Japan (NPO) • Sierra Leone Don Bosco Fambul • Bahrain Bahraini Child Helpline • Jordan 110 for Families and Children • Singapore Tinkle Friend Helpline • Bangladesh Aparajeyo Bangladesh • Kazakhstan Balaga Komek (Union of Crisis • Slovakia LDI • Belgium (KJT) Kinder- en Jongerentelefoon Centres) • Slovenia TOM • Bosnia Herzegovina SOS 1209 • Kenya Childline Kenya • South Africa Childline South Africa • Botswana Childline Botswana • Latvia Children Youth Trust Phone • Spain Telefono ANAR Spain • Brazil Alo 123! • Latvia Hotline 8006008 • Sri Lanka Childline Sri Lanka 1929 (National Child • Brazil Safernet • Lesotho Childline Lesotho Protection Authority) • Brunei Helpline 141 • Lithuania Vaiku Linija • Sri Lanka Lama Sarana (Don Bosco) • Burkina Faso Direction Generale de L’Encadrement • Luxemburg Kanner-Jugendtelefon • St. Martin Positive Connection et de la Protection d L’Enfant et de L’Adolescent • Macedonia First Children’s Embassy • S u r i n a m e BEL 123 KJT (Ministere de L’Action Sociale et de la Solidarite • Madagascar Association Serasera Fanantenana • Swaziland Ministry of Education Toll-Free Line Nationale) • Malawi Tithandizane Child Helpline/YONECO Malawi • Sweden BRIS • Cambodia ChildFund Cambodia • Malaysia Childline Malaysia • Switzerland Pro Juventute Beratung + Hilfe 147 • Canada Kids Help Phone • Maldives Child Help Line 1412 • Taiwan Province Of China 113 Hotline • Canada Jeunes t’ecoute • Mauritania AMSME • Thailand Childline Thailand • Chile Fono Infancia • Mauritius Halley Movement • Togo Allo 111 • China CAPAC, ISPCAN Xi’an Philanthropic Child • Mexico Casa Alianza • Trinidad and Tobago ChildLine Abuse • Prevention and Aid Centre • Mexico Telefono ANAR Mexico • United Arab Emirates Sharjah Social Service • Colombia Linea Infantil 106 Corpolatin • Mongolia Friends 1979 (NAC) Department • Cote d’Ivoire BICE - Cote d’Ivoire • Montenegro NGO Children First • United Arab Emirates Dubai Foundation for • Croatia Hrabritelefon • Mozambique Lihna Fala Crianca Woman and Children • Curacao Telefon pa Mucha i Hoben • Namibia LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia • Uganda Uganda Child Rights NGO Network - UCRNN • Czech Republic Safetyline • Nepal Child Helpline 1098 (CWIN-Nepal) • UK Get Connected • Denmark Bornsvilkar • Netherlands De Kindertelefoon • UK Muslim Youth Helpline • Egypt Child Helpline 16000 • New Zealand Kidsline • UK Runaway Helpline • Estonia Lapsemure • New Zealand Youthline • UK NSPCC/Childline • Ethiopia Enhancing Child Focused Activities • New Zealand What’s Up? • Uruguay Línea Azul • Finland Mannerheim League for Child Welfare • Nigeria Human Development Intiatives - HDI • USA California Youth Crisis Line • France Allo Enfants en Danger 119 • Norway Red Cross Helpline for Children and Youth • USA Boys Town • Gambia Child and Environmental Development • Pakistan Madadgaar Helpline for Children and • USA Child Abuse Hotline Association (CEDAG) Women Suffering from Violence and Abuse • USA Covenant House Nine line • Germany Nummer Gegen Kummer • Palestine SAWA • USA National Runaway Safeline • Greece Smile of the Child • Peru Telefono ANAR Perú • USA Stop it Now! • Greece Helpline Connection • Philippines Bantay Bata 163 • USA 2nd Floor Youthline • Guinee Conakry AGUIAS • Poland 116 111 Helpline for Children • Vietnam Child Helpline Vietnam • Hong Kong S.A.R. Hotline Against Child Abuse • Poland Youthorg.pl • Yemen Arab Human Rights Foundation • Hungary Kek Vonal • Poland Helpline.org • Zambia Lifeline/Childline Zambia • Iceland Red Cross 1717 • Portugal SOS Crianca • Zimbabwe Childline Zimbabwe • India Childline India Foundation • Qatar Qatari Foundation for Women and Child
49 Associate Child Helpline Members
• Afghanistan Warchild UK • Ecuador CNNA • Malta Support Line 179 • Antigua and Barbuda Friends Hotline • El Salvador Teléfono Amigo • Malta SOS Malta • Armenia Child Rights Orientation Centre • G e o r g i a “Public Health and Medicine Development • Mongolia Childline 123 • Azerbaijan Reliable Future NGO Fund of Georgia” • Nicaragua Línea 133 • Belarus Smorgon Society Information centre on • Ghana African Movement for the Prevention of • Sudan National Council for Children Welfare Children and Human Rights Education Child Abuse & Neglect - AMPCAN • Tajikistan Child Rights Center • Belarus Pominane • Guatemala Procuraduría de Derechos Humanos • Tunisia Tunisian Association for Child Rights • Belgium Ecoute d’Enfants • Haiti Jurimedia • Turkey Association for Solidarity with The • Benin Plan Benin • Israel ERAN Freedom- Deprived Juvenile • Benin BPM • Jamaica Children’s Coalition of Jamaica • United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi Social • Bhutan National Commission for Women and • Korea (South) 1577-1391 Child Protection Hotline Support Centre Children (NCPA) • Ukraine La Strada • Bolivia Educatic • Korea (South) Youth Hotline 1388 (KYCI) • USA MAYS • Bulgaria Animus Association • Kyrgyzstan • USA Polaris Project • Burundi Ministere de la Solidarite • Lebanon Higher Council for Childhood • Uzbekistan Children & Families Support • Cameroon DCI Cameroon • Lebanon Naba’a Association of Uzbekistan • Costa Rica Línea Cuenta Conmigo • Liberia Ministry of Gender and Development • Vanuatu Vanuatu Family Health Association • Cote d’Ivoire Direction de la Protection de • Libya Libyan Association for Child Rights L’Enfant • Liechtenstein Sorgentelefon Kinder und • Dominican Republic INDESUI Jugendliche • Democratic Republic Congo War Child UK • Madagascar Direction de la police Judiciaire << world >>
1989 ✱ 2004 2005 2007 The Convention on the Rights of the The first Regional Consultations The Second International Consultation CHI publishes its first Violence Child is adopted. are held in Africa, Americas and of child helplines is held in Amsterdam, Against Children follow-up report Caribbean, Asia Pacific and Europe. The Netherlands (20 -23 March). (November 2007). 1996 The first international (CHI) meeting 2004 2005 ✱ 2008 of child helplines is held in Venice, The most common reasons for The first Regional Consultation in CHI celebrates its fifth anniversary. Italy. contacts with a child helpline regard: MENA is held in Cairo, Egypt. ‘peer relationships’, followed by 2008 2001 ‘abuse and violence’, ‘psycho-social ✱ 2006 The CHI network grows to 99 full International meeting of child and mental health’ and ‘sexuality and For the first time, child helplines in members in 88 countries and helplines in Pune, India ignites the sexual awareness’. the CHI network received more than 27 associate members in 27 countries. idea of a Global Network: Child Helpline 12 million contacts from children and International (CHI). 2004 young people (12.4 million). 2008 CHI has grown to 74 members of International Child Helpline Day is ✱ 2003 which 64 are full members and are 10 2006 celebrated for the first time under the Child Helpline International is founded associate members. The CHI network grows to 88 member theme Towards a Regional and Global in Amsterdam with 49 child helpline child helplines in 76 countries Number. members in 46 countries. 2004 (associate and full members) and CHI submits its first recommendation worked in another 58 countries to 2008 2003 to the Committee on the Rights of the establish child helplines. The Fourth International Consultation CHI’s Mission: to respond to children Child. is held in Amman, Jordan (17 – 19 in need of care and protection and 2006 November). voice their concerns to policy and ✱ 2005 The Third International Consultation decisionmakers. The International Telecommunications of child helplines is held in Stockholm, 2008 Union and CHI sign a Memorandum of Sweden (1 – 4 October). The ITU issues a statement on the 2003 Understanding. allocation of short toll free numbers, CHI’s Vision: A world where technology 2006 preferably 116 111 to child helplines. allows children to be heard one by one 2005 Child helplines are recommended as a and through their voices shape the In this year, child helplines in the CHI tool to create child-friendly reporting 2008 world and realize their rights. network received over 10.6 million mechanisms in the United Nations Nearly 30% of all contacts to child contacts from children and young Violence Against Children Report in helplines worldwide were about abuse people. overall Recommendation 8. and violence. Other common issues that children and young people wanted ✱ 2007 to talk about were family relations and CHI starts its second strategic period. peer relations. The network has three objectives: Advocate for better child protection 2009 services, increase recognition The CHI network grows to 108 full of children’s voices by creating members in 92 countries and 27 awareness about child helplines and associate members in 27 countries. establish a global network of child helplines. 2009 Child helplines in the CHI network 2007 receive 12.6 million contacts from The CHI network grows to 91 child children and young people. helpline members (full and associate). 2009 ✱ 2010 ✱ 2011 2011 Children and young people most The CHI network grows to 109 full The CHI network grows to 114 full The CHI network starts its third commonly wanted to talk about psycho- member child helplines in 95 countries members in 98 countries and 41 strategic period. Its objectives are social mental health (19%), abuse and and 38 associate member child helplines associate members in 40 countries. to: establish more child helplines, violence (19%), peer relationships in 38 countries. strengthen the network and use child (15%), sexuality and sexual awareness 2011 helpline information to strengthen and family relationships (both 10%). 2010 The number of contacts that child national child protection systems The number of contacts received by helplines in the network receive worldwide. 2009 child helplines tops 13.6 million. The continues to grow to 17.3 million. CHI contributes to number of visits to websites increases Another 4.3 million visits to child ✱ 2012 the development of the International rapidly to 3.8 million visits in 2010. helpline websites are registered. CHI publishes its fifth Violence Telecommunication Union’s Global Against Children Report which is Guidelines on Child Online Protection. 2010 2011 launched by Marta Santos Pais, United Most common reasons for contact were Abuse and violence was an issue for one Nations Secretary General’s Special 2009 abuse and violence (19%), psycho- in five of the children who contacted Representative on Violence Against CHI and Relaf (Red Latinoamericana social mental health (17%) and peer child helplines around the world. Children in Paris, France (25 January). de Acogimiento Familiar or The Latin relationships (15%). Other common issues children and American Foster Care Network) sign a young people wanted to discuss were 2012 Memorandum of Understanding. 2010 psycho-social mental health (17%), CHI network grows to 167 member child CHI improves its data collection peer relationships (15%) and family helplines in 135 countries. 2009 questionnaire to add a gender relationships (11%). Plan International and CHI sign a dimension. 2012 Memorandum of Understanding to start 2011 Gathered in Durban, South Africa on a pilot project on Violence in Schools. 2010 The CHI network starts its third 20 November, child helplines operating The Fourth International Consultation strategic period. Its objectives are in 136 countries adopted the Durban 2009 of Child Helplines is held in Madrid, Spain to: establish more child helplines, Resolutions. The role of child helplines to fulfill (25 – 27 October). strengthen the network and use child children’s Right To be Heard is helpline information to strengthen ✱ 2013 recognized in the Committee on the 2010 national child protection systems In ten years, child helplines received Rights of the Child General Comment The North American Alliance of Child worldwide. 126 million contacts from children and on article 12: “… to establish easy Helplines is established (May 2010). young people. access to individuals or organizations 2011 to which they can report in confidence 2010 Abuse and violence was an issue for one 2013 and safety, including through telephone CHI signs a Memorandum of in five of the children who contacted In ten years, 118 child helplines in 95 helplines, and to provide places where Understanding with Aflatoun and child helplines around the world. countries have joined the CHI network. children can contribute their experience the BeCause Foundation. Other common issues children and and views on combating violence against young people wanted to discuss were 2013 children.” psycho-social mental health (17%), CHI holds its first Policy Dialogues. peer relationships (15%) and family relationships (11%). ✱ 2013 2010 CHI has 173 members in 141 countries. CHI’s soul statement is formulated: Children are full citizens of the world. They need, deserve, and have an inalienable right to respect, nurturance, and support aimed at keeping them safe and helping them to participate fully in their lives according to their individual capabilities. Adults have a special obligation to ensure that children are safe and receive this respect, nurturance and support. Child helplines provide children with unique opportunities to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs and to seek help in their own terms, without fear or inhibition. Trusted by children, child helplines help to keep children safe and to receive respect, nurturance and support. They do this through their own direct responses and by using the knowledge given to them by children to advocate on their behalf. CHI exists because child helplines around the world gain strength from working together to express these shared ideals, values and beliefs Nenita La Rose Executive Director Child Helpline International Introduction
Dear readers,
The world’s nations came together in 1989 to reaffirm the Child helplines are operating in very different and sometimes United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which difficult circumstances in a world that is developing fast, but called for the continuous improvement in the situation of also faces many challenges and various dominant social and children all over the world. The United Nations Convention on cultural practices. As we look at the trends in the data collected the Rights of the Child is the most ratified of all the United and analysed by Child Helpline International, we can see an Nations Human Rights treaties. increasing number of children and young people who are denied access to services or who are in conflict areas. A UNICEF study Since then many actions, such as the ‘World Fit for Children’ on children affected by armed conflict mentions that nearly two and the ‘Millennium Development Goals’, have been initiated thirds of the world’s population of children, or about 1.5 billion to operationalise the intentions enshrined in the Convention. children living in 42 countries, were affected by violent, high Child Helpline International applauds the United Nations for intensity conflict between 2002 and 2006. taking up these many different initiatives and actions to protect 2 billion children worldwide who remain unprotected. I strongly believe that child helplines empower children to take their lives into their own hands and resolve their problems as Children and young people in many parts of the world are still in much as they can. They also serve as an early warning system critical situations as a result of inadequate social conditions, for politicians and policymakers. They represent a social natural disasters, armed conflicts, exploitation, illiteracy, barometer that cannot be ignored and which indicates what is hunger and disability. This urgently requires more effective going on in the lives of children and young people - one of national and international action. society’s most vulnerable groups. Whilst this publication offers further insights into the many serious problems faced In the absence of social protection it is likely that many young by children in the world, I can see a great deal of hope for people may never be able to achieve their full potential and con- the future, especially when child helplines work in close tribute to a society or a nation to which they belong. Great global collaboration with key decision makers. social and economic inequalities have a huge impact on children. This publication adds volume to the voices of our children and It seems as if we are drifting further away from our young people - growing up in our societies, encountering joy intentions. We cannot afford to let go now. We have to invest and youthful optimism on the one hand, but also hardship and in social protection and help the young strengthen their experiences in their childhood and adolescence that will shape resilience to life’s challenges. We have to protect each the rest of their lives. They are our future leaders, doctors, nation’s human capital. craftsmen, entertainers and teachers and they all have the right to be protected and to be heard. They all have, without Protection and resilience building starts with listening. exception, the right to live a life with dignity, free from fear Listening to the voices of children and young people. and violence. Many of the world’s children are still struggling to be heard. Their voices tell us heart-breaking stories, stories that That is why I personally urge politicians, policy and decision are often not heard or listened to by those who should. makers and partners to read this publication: The Voices of Children and Young People. It contains a wealth of Child helplines worldwide are at the forefront of child protection information, stories and trends. Please take it to heart allowing children and young people to receive counselling and and listen to their voices in all your work. Only by collective assistance when in need. Data from Child Helpline International action, commitment and will can we ensure a bright future shows that in the last ten years over 126 million contacts were for the next generation of children and young people across made with child helplines worldwide. the globe.
Over the past decade, children and young people have consist- ently contacted child helplines on issues of abuse and violence, troubled family relationships, problems at school and bullying. Global <
Child helplines have been providing counselling, care and protection to children and young people for several decades. In 2003 child helplines from around the world came together as a network to amplify their voice and increase the impact of their collective work through greater collaboration and co-ordination. Child Helpline International (CHI) was tasked with the responsibility of establishing child helplines in countries where none existed, strengthening existing child helplines, and collecting data on the contacts made with child helplines to influence policy at the national and international level. The network began with 49 members in 2003 and has now grown to 173 child helpline members operating in 141 countries.
All child helpline members of CHI collect data and document The extensive data collected by CHI over the last ten years the reasons for every contact that is made with them by has provided an insight into the depth and range of issues a child or young person. CHI data shows that 126 million faced by the young population in a country or region. contacts were made with child helplines worldwide in the The steady increase in contacts over the ten year period past ten years, however only 41 million contacts were indicates that children and young people are feeling more responded to. Of these 41 million contacts, many of them empowered than before and are reaching out to child were not segregated according to the standard reasons helplines to get information, support and care. On average, recorded by child helplines and were marked as unknown or the number of contacts increased 5% per child helpline unspecified. The remaining 85 million were contacts including annually. This rise in contacts indicates that more children test calls, prank calls or silent calls made to child helplines, are contacting child helplines due to increased accessibility mostly by young people before they actually began a conver- and awareness, or indeed that there are new emerging sation with the counsellors. It is also important to note that issues that need to be addressed by decision makers. a large portion of these 85 million contacts remained unanswered because of the lack of human and financial The most common issues that children and young people resources faced by child helplines. wanted to talk about were peer relationships (17%), abuse and violence (17%), psycho-social mental health (16%), and The most number of contacts were received in Europe family relationships (15%). (46%), followed by Asia Pacific (31%), Africa (14%), Americas and Caribbean (7%), and the Middle East and North Africa The purpose of “The Voices of Children and Young People”, (MENA) (2%). The majority of children and young people who is to present issues that have always existed (presented in contacted child helplines around the world in the past ten “RWD”) in children and young people’s lives and to highlight years were between 10 -18 years of age. The majority of emerging issues (presented in “FWD”) that reflect the contacts were made over the telephone, however children changing social paradigms and the challenges children and and young people are increasingly adopting other means young people across the world experience every day. of communications such as online chat, email and text messaging, in order to seek support and advice. Abuse and violence remains a constant issue causing serious problems in all regions. Over 4 million children and young The data collected over a period of ten years indicates that people reported a form of abuse and violence (physical, children are willing to share their concerns and fears once emotional, sexual). The majority of abuse and violence cases they have trust in a system or mechanism. The increase were committed by an immediate family member. in the number of child helplines, free of charge, easy to remember telephone numbers, and the adoption of new communications technology has enabled more children to access child helplines services than ever before.
2 RWD I. Reasons for contact Worldwide 2003-2012
1% 1% 3% 3% 2% 1% 15%
6%
5% Family relationships 16% Psycho-social, mental health Peer relationships Abuse and Violence 13% Sexuality and sexual awareness Homelessness/runaways/basic needs School related Physical health 17% Legal matters Commercial Exploitation 17% Substance use and abuse HIV/AIDS infected/affected children Discrimination
One of the main reasons why children and young people Hundreds of thousands of innocent children and young contact child helplines has always been and remains to be people have been killed in the increasing number and the struggles at home and within the family. Hardships, such intensity of armed conflicts around the world over the last as interpersonal relationships or practical matters including ten years. Those who have survived the bloodshed are living maintenance and child support, custody and access, divorce in extreme vulnerability, presenting a huge challenge to child and separation represent 15% of all contacts received by protection agencies such as child helplines. It is in these child helplines. unstable environments that we see child helplines redefining resourcefulness and creativity – in spite of limited Child helplines received 1 million contacts regarding resources. The innovative spirit of highly committed child problems in schools. Besides general school related issues helpline staff and the strong connections they build with such as academic problems, performance anxiety, problems referral systems, strengthens child protection mechanisms with teachers or dropping out of school, many adolescents and acts as crucial access point for children and young experience different forms of violence and abuse that are people who would otherwise have nowhere to turn. It is committed by their teachers and peers. Bullying is a therefore imperative that child helpline services are significant problem that plagues many children’s lives. available to children and young people who are living in countries that are experiencing conflict or are in a state Data from child helplines indicates serious gaps in achieving of emergency. the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The on-going financial crisis, increasing poverty and social inequalities Contacts from “Generation Z”(those born in and after 1995) have hit children and young people hard. Such inequities on psycho-social mental health issues in rich and developed escalate humanitarian crises and increase the risks that countries with high or very high Human Development Index vulnerable children and young people experience. Many (HDI) levels are spiralling, especially during the more recent children and young people are contacting child helplines on years and since the onset of the global economic crisis. Data development-related issues including lack of birth registra- trends demonstrate that compared to all the contacts from tion, abandonment, the fulfilment of basic needs, inability to adolescents, this issue rose from 15% in 2006 to 21% in 2012. access basic services and discrimination. These factors greatly undermine the chances and wellbeing of the child, and highlight the disparities in progress towards the MDGs.
RWD 3 Global <
the Durban Resolutions Gathered in Durban, South Africa on 20 November 2012, child helplines operating in 136 countries adopted the Durban Resolutions. Child helplines call upon all stakeholders in governments, agencies and the private sector to:
Recognise child helplines’ unique capacity to bring the voices of children to bear on strengthening child protection;
Partner with child helplines to ensure that they are sustainable and accessible for all children free of charge; and,
Ensure that the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include the protection and empowerment of children and young people.
Generation Z is growing up in a world that has the advantage The data in this publication represents the voices of children of rapidly advancing communication technology, however it and young people. It is imperative that governments and also leaves children and young people susceptible to threats civil society listen to this call for action and ensure the such as online bullying, commonly known as “cyber-bullying”. strengthening of child protection systems by supporting In the past two years more than 30,000 contacts on existing child helplines and establishing child helplines in cyber-bullying were made with child helplines globally, countries where they do not currently exist. of which the majority of contacts were from girls (71%).
Child helplines play an invaluable role in protecting children and young people. Annually, child helplines provide millions of children and young people with crucial services that safeguard their wellbeing. Child helplines should be recognised by governments and international organisations as an essential mechanism for guarding children, especially in countries where such services are currently lacking. In some countries, child helplines constitute the universal access of children and young people to child protection services, therefore governments and civil society should provide resources into such structures, so that their potential can be increased and strengthened.
4 RWD II. The Gender Distinction Per Reason For Contact
Reason for calling Peer relationships 17% 30% 70%
Psycho-social, mental health 16% 33% 67%
Abuse and Violence 17% 40% 60%
Family relationships 15% 34% 66%
Sexuality and sexual awareness 13% 53% 47%
Homelessness/runaways/basic needs 5% 53% 47%
School related 6% 43% 57%
Physical health 3% 40% 60%
Legal matters 3% 50% 50%
Commercial Exploitation 1% 48% 52%
Substance use and abuse 2% 49% 51%
HIV/AIDS infected/affected children 1% 49% 51%
Discrimination 1% 49% 51% 5% 10% 15% 20%
Warning signs Over 4 million children and young people reported a form of abuse and violence (physical, emotional, sexual). Children and young people are struggling at home and within the family. Teachers and peers commit a large number of abuse and violence cases. The voices of children and young people tell us that many of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) are not being attained. Child helplines in conflict environments provide support and protection to children and young people. Without their existence, these citizens would not be able to receive the right assistance and have their safety ensured. Generation Z is more susceptible to threats such as cyber-bullying.
RWD 5 Global <
Children and young people have contacted helplines to seek More than one in ten abuse and violence cases involves help regarding issues of physical abuse (32%), bullying emotional abuse. Data shows that immediate, extended and (28%), sexual abuse (19%), emotional abuse (11%) and mixed family members of were responsible for 66% of all neglect (10%). the emotional abuse cases. More girls (61%) than boys reported such cases. Almost one million cases of physical abuse were reported by children and young people to child helplines. A member One in ten cases of abuse and violence is because a child is of the child or young person’s immediate or extended family neglected. More girls (54%) than boys contact child helplines committed 58% of the physical abuse cases. Girls (57%) regarding this issue. In 75% of the cases, immediate, report more cases of physical abuse occurring at home extended and mixed family members neglect the child or than boys. young person.
Sexual abuse has emerged as one of the most prevalent forms of reported abuse globally. Almost one in five (19%) reported cases of abuse and violence are sexual abuse cases. In 40% of the sexual abuse cases, the perpetrator is Case: Jessus (12) called the child helpline from a identified as a person from the child’s immediate or neighbour’s house. He had been locked up by his aunt, who extended family. In 81% of the sexual abuse cases, a male is forced him to do all of her domestic chores. If he did not reported by the child or young person as the person who perform to her standards, he would not get food or water. committed the offence. More girls report sexual abuse A neighbor spotted Jessus when he was carrying heavy (71%) cases to child helplines than boys. trash down the road. Jessus almost fainted and struggled with his heavy load. With his neighbors help Jessus called the child helpline. The counsellor listened to his story and also talked with the neighbor. The child helpline’s social workers rescued Jessus from his aunt and found temporary care for him in a shelter. > Americas and Caribbean
>> A significant proportion of parents want the right to hit their children if they deem it necessary as part of their parenting strategy. << asia pacific >> In 2012, a child helpline in the CHI network received 14 contacts on abuse and violence per day. <<
6 RWD RWD1/1. % Of Different Forms Of RWD 1/3. % Of Family Members Who Commit Different Abuse and Violence 2003-2012 Forms Of Abuse and Violence 19% 28% Experienced By Children Who Contact Child Helplines 8% 11% BULLYING 5% 32% 11% EMOTIONAL BULLYING NEGLECT 76% 10% PHYSICAL SEXUAL
21% 16%
RWD 1/2. % of Boys and Girls Who Experience Different Forms Of EMOTIONAL 13% Abuse and Violence 2003-2012 ABUSE 50% 100
19% 10% 80 6% 71% NEGLECT 65% 61% 60 58% 57% 54% 46% 42% 43% 14% 40 39% 30% PHYSICAL 29% ABUSE 12% 44% 20
17% 0 EXTENDED FAMILY SEXUAL 46% 23% IMMEDIATE FAMILY ABUSE MIXED FAMILY BULLYING EMOTIONAL NEGLECT PHYSICAL SEXUAL 14% NOT FAMILY
Case: Leila (14) contacted the child helpline hysterically WARNING SIGNS crying, whilst she was hiding in her bedroom closet. She was scared that her dad would find her and beat her. She said Abuse and Violence represents that her dad was drunk and on drugs and that she had over one in six contacts made to previously been to the hospital due to his abuse. child helplines across the world. The counsellor immediately alerted the police whilst speaking to Leila, within 20 minutes the police rescued her, Immediate or extended family and informed the child helpline that they would follow up on the case. > The Americas and Caribbean members commit 50% of all abuse and violence cases.
Case: Naledi (8) contacted a child helpline to report that The majority of Abuse and her father’s cousin who was living with them had been Violence cases are reported by sexually abusing her. The girl told the counsellor that she girls (60%). was afraid and had not spoken to anyone about her abuser. Naledi also informed the child helpline that she was too afraid to tell her parents in case they beat her. The child helpline contacted the parents and talked to them about the on-going situation. The child helpline provided emotional support to the girl, and explained to the parents how to denounce the abuse, including the legal process that should be followed. During a follow-up call, the child helpline was pleased to discover that the abuse had been condemned by the parents and has since been processed by the police. > Africa
RWD 7 Global <
Over the past ten years almost 4 million contacts were made Children and young people also seek help in coping by children and young people with child helplines because with domestic violence at home. In ten years, over they were struggling with family matters, involving 200,000 contacts were made with child helplines on parent-child relationships (42%), parents in conflict (23%), this issue. maintenance and child support (6%), child custody and access (5%) or new and blended families (3%). Other issues that children and young people sought advice on included sibling relationships (8%), parents with addiction or mental health problems (6%), bereavement (5%) or adoption issues (2%). Case: Shu Lin (8) called a child helpline and shared that Children seeking counsel on interrelated issues such as her parents were getting divorced. She explained that they divorce, separation and new and blended families account for often fight, and that she is at home to witness it. Sometimes almost one in three contacts (26%) made regarding family they hit each other. She feels sad about what is happening at related issues. home and asked the child helpline why can’t they just talk about their problems instead of fighting? The counsellor at Over one in ten contacts (11%) on family matters concern the child helpline empathised with how she was feeling and issues involving child maintenance and support as well as explained that it is not her fault that her parents are child custody and access. fighting and getting divorced. The child helpline counsellor also explained that the problems experienced by her parents Contacts relating to child custody and access tripled during were between them and that they needed to work on finding 2008-2012 from 5,055 to 15,256 contacts respectively. a solution. Shu Lin and the counsellor spoke for a while, until A similar increase also occurred with contacts relating to she felt better about the situation and realised that her child support and maintenance, which rose from 5% in 2008 parents still love her no matter what happens in their to 8% in 2012 (24,164 contacts). relationship. The counsellor also advised Shu Lin that if she ever feels the same that she can always contact the child Across all regions, children and young people make contact helpline because they are there to help and listen to her. to the same degree regarding issues of divorce and > Asia Pacific separated parents or parent-child relationship issues, except in Africa where more contacts were received regarding child maintenance and custody. In Europe, there has been a significant increase (almost 300%) on contacts regarding such issues (maintenance/custody) during the financial crisis years (2008- 2012).
8 RWD RWD 2/1. Total % Of Contacts On Family Matters 2002-2013
2% 5% 5% 23% Adoption issues 6% Bereavement Child custody and access 3% Divorced/separated parents/parents in conflict 42% Maintenance and child support New family/blended family 6% Parent/child relationships 8% Parents with addiction and/or mental health problems Sibling RELATIONSHIPS 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
RWD2/2. The Proportion Of Contacts On Family Matters, In Each Region
25% 30% 40% 60% 5%
35% 25% 50% 20% 4% 30% 20% 40% 25% 15% 3% 15% 20% 30%
10% 15% 2% 10% 20% 10% 5% 1% 5% 10% 5%
0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Africa Americas and Caribbean Asia Pacific Europe Middle East and North Africa 7% 15% 20% 55% 3%
Case: Anna’s (16) parents divorced 8 years ago, and for Warning signs the past 2 years she has lived with her father and his new partner. She does not understand why she has to live with Children and young people her father, and she feels unwelcomed and unwanted. Anna all around the world are explained that her relationship with her mother is good, experiencing problems in and that she would like to live with her again. The counsellor supported Anna in finding ways to express her emotions and their families. feelings, and practised simple communication techniques to help with the relationship with her father. Through the Contacts regarding child counselling she was able to understand different points of custody and access have risen view on her situation. The counsellor also directed Anna to dramatically in the past five relevant services that would help her understand why it may be appropriate for her to live with her father. years. Anna appreciated the help given, and later called the child Contacts relating to child helpline to update them on her progress. > Europe support and maintenance have steadily increased.
>> Children need more attention from their parents. Since their parents are too busy with their jobs, they often contact the child helpline because they crave attention that they do not get at home. << asia pacific
RWD 9 Global <
Over a million and a half contacts (1.6 million) were made by Bullying is a growing problem which children and young children and young people with child helplines on school people face on a daily basis. Over one in four cases (28%) related problems, of which 57% were made by girls. Children of abuse and violence is because of bullying, most of which and young people usually contact child helplines on issues takes place on school premises (80%). Bullying can be divided relating to school when they are experiencing academic into four major categories – emotional, physical, exposure problems (39%), teacher problems (21%) and performance and theft. Data shows that 52% of the contacts on bullying anxiety (14%). Other problems that they talk to child helpline are categorised under emotional bullying, 31% are physical counsellors included homework related problems (8%), bullying, 10% are incidents of bullying perpetrated through dropping out of school (11%), or other adult related issues theft and 7% of the contacts were from children or young (7%). people who were exposed to some form of bullying.
Teachers have been reported to be perpetrators of abuse and violence (physical, sexual, emotional, neglect and bullying). Over 21,000 abuse cases were reported to child helplines in the ten year period. The majority of these cases Case: A mother contacted a child helpline because she was were reported in Africa (51%) followed by Asia Pacific (35%), experiencing problems with her child Abrahem. Since her Europe (10%), MENA (4%) and the Americas and Caribbean separation from her husband she noticed that Abrahem’s (<1%). Generally, more male teachers (64%) were identified academic performance was poor. After speaking to a as perpetrators of abuse and violence, especially in sexual counsellor, she brought him to the child helpline’s walk-in abuse cases (81%). centre. The Counsellor explained the importance of how his future depended on education. As a result, the boy changed Peers also commit a significant proportion of abuse and his attitude and became more diligent in school. He still violence cases (31%), of which 12% were sexual abuse cases, walks into the child helpline when he feels like he needs to 26% physical abuse cases, 50% bullying cases, and 18% talk to someone. > Africa emotional abuse cases. Girls (59%) make more contact regarding abuse and violence committed by peers, than boys.
>> Corporal punishment remains a huge problem in schools. We often find that teachers use physical abuse as a form of discipline. Worst of all, many parents encourage it. << africa
10 RWD RWD 3/1. The % of teachers who perpetrate RWD 3/2. Regional Comparison Of Cases Of RWD 3/4. The % Of Peers Who Perpetrate different forms of Abuse and Violence Teachers Perpetrating Abuse And Violence Different Forms of Abuse And Violence
4% no teacher teacher 10% no peer peer 86% 14% 38% 62%
51% 35% bullying bullying
no teacher teacher no peer peer 96% 4% 82% 18% Africa Americas and Caribbean Asia Pacific Emotional Emotional Europe abuse abuse Middle East and North Africa no teacher teacher no peer peer 96% 4% 93% 7%
RWD 3/3. Different forms of Bullying (%) Neglect Neglect 6% 12% 2% no teacher teacher no peer peer 93% 7% 74% 26%
physical physical abuse abuse 80% no teacher teacher no peer peer 92% 8% Cyberspace 72% 28% Playground School Sexual Schoolbus Sexual abuse Street abuse
Case: The child helpline was called by a distressed father. Warning signs His daughter had been beaten by a teacher at school. The beatings resulted in a broken arm. The child was taken Children and young people are for appropriate care, but the father wanted to know what experiencing abuse and violence steps he could take in order to prosecute the perpetrator. at school. The child helpline referred the case directly to the relevant department in the Ministry of Education for investigation. Teachers commit a large number During the investigation, the teacher was suspended without pay. The verdict is currently pending > MENA of abuse and violence cases. Peers commit a significant Case: Cam (9) contacted a child helpline because she was being bullied at school. Cam felt isolated and could not focus proportion of abuse and violence on her up and coming exams. She had reported it to the cases. teachers and the headmaster, who ignored her and did not take any action. Cam felt stuck and isolated. The child Bullying continues to plague helpline empowered her with certain techniques that would the lives of children and young help her cope with the bullying. The helpline also counselled her in taking certain steps to help end the bullying. people in school. > Asia Pacific
RWD 11 2003 - 2013 126 million contacts
forward FWD >> The Voices of Children and Young People
giving a voice to children and young people worldwide Child Helpline International (CHI) is the global network of 173 child helplines in 141 countries (April 2013). In ten years together child helplines in the network received more than 126 million contacts from children and young people in need of care and protection. CHI supports the creation and strengthening of national toll free child helplines worldwide and uses child helpline data and knowledge to highlight gaps in child protection systems and advocate for the rights of children.
Colophon Disclaimer: Child Helpline International (CHI) CHI’s work is firmly grounded in the principles and values enshrined Herengracht 418 in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC), including children’s right to privacy and protection from harm. To this end, and 1017 BZ Amsterdam to preserve the trust and confidence children place in child helplines The Netherlands worldwide every day, all identifying details and information about individual children cited in this report have been removed or altered. Phone +31 (0)20 528 9625 Although cases and quotes are real, the names of children and young E-mail [email protected] people are not. Web www.childhelplineinternational.org This publication is based on the analysis of information received from 147 child helplines in the CHI network around the world. This data was Authors Kate Buljanovic, Ravi R. Prasad obtained through CHI’s data questionnaire that were given annually to Reviewers Johan Martens, Marieke Noz, Mona Wooding the child helplines. The conclusions and statements are based on this information and they do not capture the full scope of practices and Design Frissewind, profs in communicatie en design, Amsterdam policies of all countries and cases handled by child helplines and other Printing Joh. Enschedé, Amsterdam child protection organisations at the national level.
The percentages for reasons of contacts shown in this publication are Copyright © Child Helpline International, November 2013 based on contacts made to child helplines with a known reason. ISBN 978-94-6228-313-8 In 10 years, child helplines received more than 126 million contacts. These contacts are made through different means of contacts such as telephone, SMS, email, chat, outreach activities and walk-in centres. CHI would like to thank its partners for their continued support Only 41 million of 126 million contacts resulted in a conversation. Two thirds of contacts made through telephone can’t be answered due to lack of capacity. A part of those unanswered contacts are made up of prank calls or test calls. Child helplines also reported many contacts with unknown reasons, requests for information or reasons for contact other than CHI categories. The percentages shown are based on the remaining segment.
www.childhelplineinternational.org Background > Child Helpline International The story of Child Helpline International began 25 years ago creation of child helplines, our data, or advocacy and on the streets of India where CHI’s Founder Jeroo Billimoria awareness raising. had been working as a social worker and gave her phone number to children in need. Her phone did not stop ringing! To date, Child Helpline International has achieved many That was when Jeroo realised that these children really milestones. Besides strengthening child helplines or creating needed someone to speak to and seek help from in times of ones in countries where they do not exist, Child Helpline need. This was when Childline India was set up with the International is making its print on the international child support of volunteers, who kept a log of phone calls that they protection community. received. This established the importance of data collection for the creation of child friendly policies whilst placing it at Three times a year, Child Helpline International sends the centre of child protection. recommendations to the Committee on the Rights of Children (CRC), which are used in its Concluding Observations. At an international gathering of child helplines in Pune, India, in 2001, a number of child helpline representatives discussed In 2008 The European Commission (EC) reserved the toll free the need for a child helpline “helpdesk” that would support telephone number of 116 111 for child helplines which was child helplines and create new ones in countries where they later followed by the Council of Europe recommending this did not exist. This lead to the International Consultation, held number to all child helplines in the region. in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 2003 which was attended by 49 child helpline representatives from all over the world. In 2012, through Child Helpline International efforts the Thereafter, Child Helpline International was officially South Asian Association of Child Helplines (SAACH) assigned launched. the regionally harmonised number 1098. Our work has also been recognised by the United Nations through various Child Helpline International has grown into a unique, global reports, and we have also received several awards network of 173 members comprising civil society and (Multidisciplinary Team Award from International Society government organisations in 141 countries. Our organisation of Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect in 2012, and the is recognised at all levels of its work, whether it is: our Award for Promoting Regional, and the International knowledge and resources, the steps we take in safeguarding Cooperation from the World Summit on the Information the rights and lives of children , the strengthening or Society in 2013).
The Importance of Child Helpline Services and Data It is the basic right of children and young people to be heard, For this to happen, child helpline services have to be optimally to voice their opinions and their concerns. This is enshrined in accessible. CHI has also consistently recommended the the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child. implementation of four key child helpline indicators to Child helplines give a voice to children and young people and achieve maximum impact. The implementation of these empower them to take their lives in their own hands, to indicators guarantee maximum accessibility to all children, resolve their problems and get professional assistance. regardless of their gender, origin, economic status or location. Child helplines are mechanisms that allow children and young people to reach out for care, assistance, counselling, These indicators are: intervention and referral when they are in need. In many 1. Free of cost: Child helplines should be accessible, free of cases, child helplines are at the forefront of child protection costs from landlines and mobile phones for both the child providing children with an entry point into a system that may and the child helpline, so that children and young people not be child friendly or accessible. have the possibility to access help, irrespective of their gender or economic status. With these crucial services offered to children and young 2. Three or four digit telephone number or regionally people, child helplines are in a unique position to collect harmonised numbers: A national number with few digits accurate data on the concerns, issues and in some instances makes it easy for the child to remember it in case of horrors that children are exposed to. Because child helplines emergency. are the first unofficial contact, children are inclined to open up 3. National coverage: Child helplines should have national more with them than with other services. This vital wealth of coverage so that any child can seek assistance from any data can be used to steer key policy decisions by governments, part of the country, especially rural areas. and provide guidance to civil society organisations to align 4. Opening hours 24/7: In order for child helplines to be their programmes relevant to the needs of children and young accessible to children at all times it should have services people so that collectively they are able to strengthen child that work around the clock, every day of the week. protection systems at the national and sub-national levels. Marta Santos Pais Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Message against Children
Violence against children is widespread and pervasive. I therefore warmly welcome this valuable report Voices It knows no economic, cultural or social borders and of Children and Young People, issued by Child Helpline affects children of all ages in all regions of the world. International, which provides first-hand data and Yet, most of the time child victims do not know where to insightful evidence informed by over 126 million stories go, whom to call and how to report incidents of violence shared with child helplines by children across regions and seek assistance to overcome the trauma they have over a period of ten years. The report is testimony to the suffered. For this reason, a priority of my mandate as trust children place in helplines and it is a sound basis to Special Representative of the Secretary General on inform policies and interventions to build a world where Violence against Children is to promote in all States the violence against children has no place. But in addition, this establishment of law which is safe, child-sensitive, report makes a strong call for urgent action. well-publicised, confidential and accessible mechanisms before whom children can seek advice and report I urge governments in all regions to further support incidents of violence, and benefit from effective remedies child helplines in the provision of essential services to and adequate support to promote healing, recovery and children and in their data collection efforts. I encourage long lasting reintegration. This was also a crucial decision makers to take to heart the lessons provided recommendation put forward by the UN Study on Violence in this report and support further research in order against Children. to strengthen national child protection systems and effective prevention and response to incidents of Over the past decade, there has been an increasing violence against children. comprehensive landscape of child helplines that address incidents of violence. This is an important development that we need to welcome! Child helplines enable children to anonymously seek help from well trained personnel who reach out to children and give them the advice and support they need and that they are entitled to. Moreover, through their daily contacts with children in more than 140 countries, child helplines generate valuable data and information about manifestations of violence and risk factors aggravating their occurrence. These are critical insights that governments and other stakeholders should take into account when shaping action to prevent and respond to violence against children.
>> Over the past decade, there has been an increasing comprehensive landscape of child helplines that address incidents of violence. This is an important development we need to welcome! << Jeroo Billimoria Founder and Chair of the Supervisory Board of Child Helpline International The Next Decade
Shankar, a young boy in India, was severely injured with It is up to us, as adults, to create a sturdy protection system to worm-infested sores on his forehead and covering his leg and ensure that no child is alone. It is up to child helplines to ensure was in need of urgent medical attention. Despite his vulnerable that every single child around the globe knows that there is state, Shankar was refused by the hospital as he did not have someone out there who cares for them, and that children know enough money to pay for treatment. At this point, Childline that comfort is only a phone call… email… text… or chat away. India intervened. This publication looks at the various cases and contacts made over the past 10 years. Based on the analysis of the gathered What started as a project for street children by street children data we call for: themselves, grew into a national organisation spanning over 291 cities and districts in 30 provinces working with 540 • Child helplines are the centre of the child protection system. partner organisations across India. Increased budgetary allocations must be made at the national and global level to ensure quality access to child This concept took root and attracted other existing child helplines and to protect children and young people from helplines around the world, gained global momentum, and led to abuse, violence and exploitation. the birth of Child Helpline International. In the past 10 years, child helplines in 141 countries have received over 126 million • The United Nations and its member states are encouraged to contacts from children and young people. set up child helplines in all conflict zones and declare them as neutral, non-partisan organisations protecting children and Child helplines are at the centre of the child protection systems. young people, who are victims of a war or internal conflict. By being at the centre, child helplines are responsible for responding to all needs of children and young people. It is the • The United Nations, multilateral organisations and vision of child helpline to listen to children and to provide them governments should develop a comprehensive child with the comfort and care that they are struggling for. From protection policy to ensure the overall well-being of children Shankar, who was in desperate need of medical attention in India, and young people, minimising the impact of the economic to Caroline whose 8 year old daughter was being sexually abused crisis and social inequality, and ending the emerging menace by her husband in Kenya, to Shoeb who had lost contact with his of cyber-bullying. parents during bombardments in Palestine, to Anouk who felt incredibly lonely as a young cancer patient in the Netherlands… As you read through this publication, please think of Shankar, all children want and need to be heard. Caroline, Shoeb and Anouk, and the millions of vulnerable children just like them throughout the world. Let us ensure that a 24/7 helpline and protection system is available globally so every child knows that they are not alone.
>> Child helplines ensure that every single child around the globe knows that there is someone there for them who cares, and that children know that help is only a phone call…email….text…or chat away. <<
FWD 1 Global << forward >> MDG’s in Child Protection Are Not Being Achieved It is widely accepted that the Millennium Development Goals may not be achieved by 2015. CHI data on contacts made with child helplines illustrates the gaps that remain in achieving some of the MDGs.
Global child helpline data shows that the on-going financial Birth registration is vital to any child’s identity and future. crisis, increasing poverty and social inequalities have hit It is therefore essential that all children, especially from children and young people hard. Deprived of their basic marginalised, disadvantaged social groups are provided with rights, they are becoming increasingly marginalised, birth certificates that establish their identity as a person especially in the less developed regions of the world. and as a citizen. Almost 38,000 contacts on birth registra- Contacts made with child helplines in countries at the lower tion were received by child helplines during the ten year end of the Human Development Index (HDI), show not only period under review, of which 60% were made in the African the increased incidence of abuse and violence, but also bring region, followed by 30% in the Asia Pacific region. to light the dangerous impact of widening economic disparity Over the past five years, an average of 18 children each day and disenfranchisement of children and young people. contact child helplines around the world in order to seek advice on how to obtain a birth registration. Even in European countries where governments are tightening their belts and implementing austerity measures, Another alarming issue is the abandonment of children children and young people are feeling the brunt of these across the globe. In ten years over 60,000 children and changes. In many countries child welfare measures have young people have contacted child helplines because they been curtailed and in others many children’s services have have been abandoned by their parents or caregivers. been withdrawn due to a lack of funding. But the worst CHI data shows that abandonment is not differentiated by impact is being felt in developing and fragile states where HDI level, as it is prevalent in both developed and developing young people are struggling to claim their rights. Social and states. Regionally, 36% of contacts on abandonment were economic poverty in these countries make children and received in Asia Pacific, followed by Africa (33%), Europe young people extremely vulnerable. (20%), the Americas and Caribbean (8%) and MENA (3%).
Analysis of CHI data shows that many children and young Improving the health of children and their access to people are contacting child helplines regarding lack of birth healthcare are key steps necessary to attaining the MDGs registration, abandonment, lack of basic needs, inability to that targeted combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other access basic services and increased discrimination. These diseases. Analysis of CHI data shows that children and young factors greatly undermine the life chances and wellbeing of people experience problems in accessing health care in both the child, and highlight the gaps in progress towards developing countries with low HDI and developed countries meeting the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). with high HDI. Almost 138,000 contacts were made with child helplines on this issue, of which a majority were received during 2010-2012. Regional disaggregation shows that most contacts were made with child helplines in Asia (60% - mostly from India, Nepal and the Philippines), followed by MENA (13% - mostly from Sudan and Egypt), Africa (12%- mostly from Guinea-Conakry), Europe (12% - mostly from Greece, Netherlands and Portugal) and the Americas and Caribbean (4% - mostly from Canada, Chile and the Unites States of America).
2 FWD FWD 1/1. Regional % of Contacts On:
Abandoned Access to education Access to healthcare Children calling for food
3% 3% 2% 13% 12% 7% Africa 4% 20% 33% 23% 32% 11% 21% 38%
1% Americas and Caribbean 8% 71% 2% 36% 32% 6% 60%
Resources and financial aid Birth registration Racism related
4% 2% 1% 1% 19% Asia Pacific 21% 28% 41% 33%
54% 9% 23% 60% 4% europe 38% 15% 3%
Africa Middle East and Americas and Caribbean North Africa Asia Pacific Europe 6% Middle East and North Africa
Case: Rafael’s (18) parents died when he was young and he was raised by his relatives. When Rafael turned 18 his guardian’s attitude towards him changed. Rafael wanted to Call for Action get an identity card, so that he could access services on his own. However he discovered that there was no legal Child helplines are the centre documentation of his existence. The case was thoroughly of the child protection system. investigated by a child helpline officer and was referred to Increased budgetary an organisation for direct legal assistance. This organisation made an official appeal to several institutions and as a allocations must be made at result Rafael obtained his birth certificate and later his the national and global level to identity card. > Europe ensure quality access to child helplines to protect children Case: Lucy (14) contacted a child helpline because she was orphaned and needed medical assistance, psycho-social and young people from abuse, support, shelter, adequate food and social and educational violence and exploitation. reintegration. The helpline facilitated the rescue of the girl and placed her in a safe home where her well-being was monitored and her case followed up on. > Africa
>> The proportion of contacts that child helplines receive on basic needs, requests for food and financial assistance has increased by two-thirds over the last ten years. <<
FWD 3 Global << forward >>
MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS 1. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger 2. achieving universal primary education 3. Promoting gender equality and empowering women 4. Reducing child mortality rates 5. Improving maternal health 6. Combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases 7. Ensuring environmental sustainability 8. Developing a global partnership for development
While one of the MDGs is the eradication of extreme poverty Discrimination exacerbates exclusion, particularly when it and hunger, data from child helplines shows these issues denies access to education for children struggling to break remain significantly prevalent. Children and young people out of the poverty trap. Almost 40,000 contacts were made living in the poorest households reach out to child helpline in by children and young people expressing their inability to times of despair when they are lacking basic necessities access education. Not surprisingly 95% of the contacts such as food or social welfare. In the past ten years, over were recorded in countries with low to medium HDI levels. 220,000 children and young people have contacted child Regionally, 71% of the contacts were received in Africa, helplines calling for food, resources or financial aid. followed by Asia Pacific (23%), Europe (3%), MENA (2%) and the Americas and Caribbean (1%). The majority of children According to HDI levels, the majority of these contacts were and young people unable to access education were girls (52%). received in low HDI (32%), medium HDI (32%), very high HDI (26%), followed by an additional 10% of contacts that were Children face discrimination on a daily basis in access to made in high HDI countries. More girls (54%) reported such other services too, either due to their ethnicity, physical concerns to child helplines and a majority of these contacts and mental health, gender, language, sexual orientation, were made in the Asia Pacific (37%), followed by Africa or disability. Over 183,000 contacts were made with child (30%), Europe (21%), the Americas and Caribbean (8%) and helplines on issues related to discrimination. The key MENA (4%). Specifically, since 2007 the highest percentages reasons for children and young people contacting child of contacts were received by child helplines in Nepal, India, helplines on discrimination related issues were due to Pakistan, Kenya, South Africa, Greece and the United States access to education (31%), mental and physical health (22%), of America. This indicates that not only are there resource immigration issues (19%), racism (19%) and employment gaps in these countries and global social security systems, related (9%). Regionally, contacts on discrimination were but that child helplines offer a safety net of solution based received in Africa (38%), Asia Pacific (34%), Europe (19%), intervention that help keep children and young people safe. the Americas and Caribbean (3%) and MENA (6%).
>> The proportion of contacts on access to education has more than doubled since 2005. <<
4 FWD FWD 2/1. The % of Worldwide Contacts In Different Human Development Index (HDI) Levels
High hdi low hdi medium hdi very high hdi
Abandoned
Access to education
Access to health care
Children calling for food
Resources and financial aid
Birth registration
Racism related
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
CHI data demonstrates that the majority of contacts on Case: Nishad (15) contacted a child helpline because he issues relating to discrimination are received in United was hungry. After speaking to him for some time, Nishad Kingdom, Iceland, Nepal, South Africa and Guinea-Conakry. confessed that he was homeless and was not attending Children and young people in the African region face more school. Immediately the counsellor asked him for his discrimination issues regarding access to education (57%) and location and alerted a social worker about the situation. racism (27%). Children and young people in MENA mostly made Nishad was rescuded and placed in a shelter. He now attends contact concerning mental and physical discrimination (88%). school and has been placed with a family that want to adopt him. > Asia Pacific An alarming trend has been identified in the numbers regarding racism related issues which have increased from Case: Dominic (7) called the helpline saying that he failed 1% (3 contacts) in 2003 to 29% (6,729 contacts) in 2012. school because he didn’t have money to pay for the bus Regionally, the majority of contacts on racism were reported which takes him to school. The counsellor talked to him in Africa (54%), followed by Asia Pacific (23%), Europe (19%), about how he was feeling about it, and then asked why he the Americas and Caribbean (3%) and MENA (1%). The child didn’t have a free pass from the government as it is free of helplines that have had the most racism related contacts cost. The boy said that his mother missed the deadline to are in South Africa, Nepal and Guinea-Conakry. apply for the pass. The counsellor told him that she was going to contact the municipality to ask for a free pass for him as every child had a right to it. When the counsellor called Dominic back he said: “I thought you had forgotten about me! I’m so happy that you didn’t”. Just as the counsellor was speaking to him, his mother arrived home and asked to talk to the helpline. She thanked the helpline for their service and said that her son wrote down the helpline’s number on a piece of paper with the following sentence: “If I get sad I must call this number….” > Americas and Caribbean
FWD 5 Global << forward >> Children and Conflict As conflicts across the globe have increased and become bloodier than before, the lives of children and young people in these situations have become more perilous, exposing them to extreme dangers and impacting their emotional well-being. Conflicts have a long-term debilitating impact on the physical and mental health of children and young people.
Bloodshed, violence and deprivation during and after Generation after generation in Palestine have grown up in a conflicts significantly influence the lives of children and state of constant war which has lasted over 65 years. young people. Millions of children have lost their lives, and Data collected by the child helpline in Palestine “Sawa” gives many more millions around the world are currently living an insight into the needs and problems of children and young through conflicts, residing in camps and shelters, deprived people living in one of the most precarious regions in the world. of basic amenities, exploited, or rendered disabled for life. Since 2008, nearly 130,000 children and young people have The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said in a contacted Sawa seeking care and protection. Of the known document on children affected by armed conflict that nearly reasons why children and young people contacted the child two thirds of the world’s population of children or about 1.5 helpline, more than 46% (41,000) contacts were from those billion children living in 42 countries were affected by who had suffered abuse and violence. Another 17% (15,000 violent, high intensity conflict between 2002 and 2006. 1 contacts) concerned psycho-social and mental health issues, most of them regarding the fear and anxiety that young The Geneva based Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, people experience in a conflict zone. a multi-stakeholder body that collects data on internal displacement for the United Nations (UN) and humanitarian In an environment beset by violence and conflict, children agencies estimates the figure of internally displaced and young people are unable to maintain a stable life. children to be at 13.5 million.2 The numbers have increased They have trouble in their relationships with peers and also significantly over the past couple of years as more conflicts with their family members. Often, children and young people have emerged in Africa, Asia Pacific, and the MENA region.3 living in a conflict environment grow up to support violent behaviour as that is what they witness in their formative Contacts with child helplines in the countries that are years. experiencing or are emerging from conflicts demonstrate a range of issues and problems that children and young Data from child helpline in Nepal, CWIN, highlights the state people confront in their daily lives. To improve the of children and young people in the conflict and post-conflict understanding of the need for child helplines in all conflict period. Between 2003 and 2009 more than 446,719 children zones, this section contains data from the child helpline in and young people contacted the child helpline in Nepal about Palestine, a country in conflict, and Nepal, which is emerging their direct involvement in the conflict. Since 2009 no such out of an internal conflict. contacts were received, as the armed conflict came to an end and children ceased to be recruited as soldiers. Children and young people in conflict zones suffer from extreme forms of abuse and violence, psycho-social and However, the impact of the conflict was severe on the lives mental health issues, deep trauma and often neglect and of young people. Access to education and health care exploitation. became highly impeded. Over 18,000 young people reported dropping out of schools and another 18,000 contacted child helplines to seek healthcare.
1 UNICEF Children affected by armed conflict, World Fit for Children goal: Protect children from the impact of armed conflict and ensure compliance with international humanitarian law and human rights law http://www.unicef.org/progressforchildren/2007n6/index_41851.htm 2 Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, http://www.internal-displacement.org/children 3 UNHCR http://www.unhcr.org/521621999.html
6 FWD Palestine nepal
FWD3/1. Reasons For Contacts With Sawa, FWD3/2. Reasons For Contacts With CWIN, Palestine 2008-2012 Nepal 2002-2012
50,000 250,000
40,000 200,000
Family relationships Psycho-social, mental health Peer relationships Abuse and Violence 30,000 150,000 General / Other Information requested Homelessness/runaways/ basic needs 20,000 100,000 School related Physical health Sexuality and sexual awareness Legal matters 10,000 50,000 Commercial Exploitation Substance use and abuse HIV/AIDS infected/affected children Discrimination 0 0
Economic deprivation resulting from the protracted conflict in Nepal increased the vulnerability of children and young people to abuse and exploitation, and it continues unabated Call for Action at an alarming rate. Child helpline Nepal received, in the ten year monitoring period, more than 15,000 contacts on The United Nations and its trafficking of children, over 14,000 on sexual exploitation, member states are encouraged more than 21,000 on domestic child labour, over 7,500 on to set up child helplines in all children used for begging and another 7,200 on children used on criminal activities. Most of the cases of exploitation conflict zones and declare registered a sharp increase after 2009, when a political them as neutral, non-partisan solution brought an end to the violence. organisations protecting children and young people, As child helplines maintained and stepped up their services during the conflict period more than 1.1 million children who are victims of a war or and young people were able to access advice, care and internal conflict. protection through Sawa and CWIN.
Both Sawa and CWIN provide an example of the services child helplines provide in conflict zones. There are numerous Case: Sawa received a call from a five year old girl who child helplines around the world operating in conflict areas was left alone with her three year old brother. The parents and humanitarian situations, rising to the challenge of had apparently not returned from a short outing during the protecting children and young people’s lives and rights. bombings three days prior. The Sawa Counsellor managed to locate the girl’s whereabouts, send an emergency vehicle to retrieve the siblings and to bring them to a safe environ- ment. Their pictures were pinned to search boards across the city and their parents were able to locate them some days later. > Palestine
FWD 7 Global << forward >> Children Feel Less Happy in Developed Countries Generation Z – namely those born from 1995 to the present day – are largely unhappy. The current global economic situation is aggravating psycho-social mental health issues amongst young people as they face new challenges within their families and altered socio-economic realities.
From the contacts made with child helplines, it emerges that Generation Z is highly connected to communication and the social and economic environment is a primary cause of media technology, which has empowered young people with mental health problems. Since 2007, with the onset of the ease of access to knowledge but makes them vulnerable to economic crisis, there has been a sharp increase in contacts bullying, stalking and trolling in the virtual world. regarding issues related to psycho-social and mental health in developed countries that have very high Human Bullying has become increasingly dominant, especially Development Index (HDI). Data trends show that compared through social media channels. In ten years over a million to all contacts received per year, contacts from adolescents contacts were made to child helplines on bullying and on psycho-social mental health rose from 15% in 2006 to cyber-bullying. Generally, more girls (58%) reported bullying 21% in 2012. These contacts are more prevalent in regions compared to boys. The gravity of bullying in the lives of where the impact of the economic crisis has been children and young people can be gauged from the fact that significant. 28% of contacts made with child helplines in the past ten years on abuse and violence were related to bullying. The correlation between the onset of the global economic crisis and reports of psycho-social mental health issues is Web and mobile-based messages reach children and young striking. Disaggregated data on issues such as depression, people in the privacy of their own home, twenty-four hours fear and anxiety, suicidal tendencies and self-harm show a day making bullying inescapable and more impactful than an increase of occurrence at the time of the economic in the past. As a result, an increasing number of child upheaval. During 2007 – 2012 contacts on depression, helplines state that they receive contacts on cyber-bullying. fear and anxiety increased by up to 320% in both high and CHI began collecting data on cyber-bullying in 2011 and very high HDI countries, and respectively, contacts on since then more than 30,917 contacts have been received by suicidal tendencies increased by 250% during that period. child helplines about this growing phenomenon. Contacts on cyber-bullying also demonstrate a similar trend in terms of the gender of victims - 71% of cyber-bullying cases that are reported to child helplines, are made by girls.
>> Contacts on psycho-social mental health rose from 15% in 2006 to 21% in 2012. These contacts have been more prevalent in regions where the impact of the economic crisis has been significant. <<
8 FWD FWD 4/1. Contacts On Bullying Per Year, 2003-2012 FWD 4/2. Bullying And Cyber-Bullying Dissagregated By Gender 150,000 2012 120,000 42% 58% 2010
90,000 2008
2011 bullying 2005 2009
60,000 2003 2004 2006 2007 29% 71% 30,000
cyber bullying 0
FWD 4/3: Contacts on Psycho-Social and Mental Health in High and Very High HDI countries
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Body/physical appearance Boredom Depression Eating disorders Fear and anxiety Identity and purpose of life Lack of confidence Loneliness Phobias and obsessions Self harm Suicide
0 50,000 100,000 150,000 200,000 250,000 300,000 350,000
Case: “I don’t want to live anymore. Nothing makes any sense to me. I ate some pills 15 minutes ago and hope I will die”. This was Joe when he called a child helpline in distress. Call for Action “Nobody loves me, I am so alone with my problems. I want to be through with everything”. The child helpline listened to The United Nations, multilateral Joe, and advised him to induce vomiting in order to get rid organisations and governments of the pills he had taken. Joe then agreed to provide his should develop a comprehensive personal information so that the child helpline could send someone to examine him in person. > Europe child protection policy to ensure the overall well-being of children Case: Amal (18) became involved with the wrong group of and young people, minimising the friends. When she tried to withdraw from their friendship, impact of the economic crisis the group sent her a pornographic video featuring a girl that looked like her. Amal’s group of friends threatened to and social inequality, and ending send the video to everyone she knew. Amal was afraid, and the emerging menace of did not know how to deal with situation. The counsellor cyber-bullying. encouraged her to watch the video – so that she could be assured that no one would mistake her for the person in the video. After counselling, Amal was able to approach her family and together they went to the police. Thereafter, she moved schools so that she could feel safe and protected. > MENA
FWD 9